Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"Journey" created a stir in London, and curators hope it will do the same in New York and on other stops. Photo courtesy of "Journey."

“JOURNEY” concerns a human rights issue close to the heart of Emma Thompson, who has been waxing rather emphatically about it, as she did last week on "The View" and as recently as yesterday morning.

“People just don't want to know about this issue – it’s hidden, it’s criminal, it’s perverse and yes, it’s happening on our own doorstep," she insists. "'Journey' is a remarkable piece of collaborative, creative and confrontational art that profoundly challenges people’s perspective. Come and see for yourself and tell us if you agree.”

"Journey" casts a spotlight on sex trafficking/sex slavery, a rights issue that is real. One that affects people the world over, including in the good ole US of A. The art installation, which brings to life one woman’s hellish odyssey as a sex slave, is on display through Sunday at Washington Place at Washington Square East.

The Oscar-winning actress is joined in the fight to illuminate and eradicate the sex slave trade by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and some other famous/prominent folks and organizations. She wants Us to join her, too.

The travelling installation comprises seven shipping containers that tell the story of Elena, evoking the stages of a trafficked person's (mostly girls and young women) experience: hope, journey, uniform, bedroom, customer, stigma, resurrection. Each container is interpreted by a different artist(s), folks like costume designer Sandy Powell (uniform), music producer Mick Martin (journey), playwright Simon Stephens and photographer James Ostrer (customer).

“Journey” is free and open to the public aged 18 and over from noon to 8 p.m. until Friday, 13 Nov., from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, 14 Nov., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, 15 Nov. Visit www.helenbamber.org to learn more about “Journey” and sex trafficking.